A one-pot approach to substituted 1,2,4-triazolo[4,3-a]pyridines has been developed that is based on a KI-catalyzed oxidative cyclization of α-keto acids and 2-hydrazinopyridines. This transition-metal-free procedure was highly efficient and shows good economical and environmental advantages.
![Graphical abstract: KI-catalyzed oxidative cyclization of α-keto acids and 2-hydrazinopyridines: efficient one-pot synthesis of 1,2,4-triazolo[4,3-a]pyridines](http://hg.y866.cn/compound/lib/scimg/usr/1/C8RA06215C.jpg)
